September 2016

Weakness In Athletes

All too often when someone discovers or is told they have a weakness it is followed by some type of rehabilitation or strengthening exercise as a method of correction. Unfortunately this is not always the best route of correction. To take a step back and first assess why something may be weak will make the what to do intervention much more clear and help someone move toward resolution much faster. Below is a list of common causes of weakness and appropriate methods of correction in athletes.

1. Disuse atrophy

Cause: Lack of use due to long periods of rest/inactivity/injury recovery; post-surgical

Prevalence: Common

May result in: Diminished muscle/ligament/tendon size, strength, and range of motion

From the list above it becomes more clear of the six common reasons for weakness two respond best to strength training exercises (1 & 2), one responds best to rest (3a), one requires specialized soft-tissue treatment (3b), and two is best managed with advanced imaging, a surgical consult, and bracing (4 & 5). To first determine why something is weak or is simply not responding to common rehabilitative strengthening exercises, have a professional examination to help determine the best intervention. As always, an accurate assessment and diagnosis leads to a timely resolution of an issue.

Active Performance Chiropractic focuses on the diagnosis, treatment,and rehabilitation of athletic-relatedinjuries. Treatment is a unique blend of Active Release Techniques, traditional chiropractic therapy, and physical rehabilitation designed to match each patient’s goals andlifestyle.